nanajan

My husband and I will be traveling to Aruba in a couple of weeks for our 20th Anniversary, staying at the Marriott. Any suggestions for rooms to ask for?? We'd love a high floor with an ocean view, but if you've stayed there, we'd appreciate your input. Thanks.

girlonthego

HI we stayed there last April. It is a great hotel. We were on the fifth floor with a resort view, but we sat on our beds and we could see the ocean. The hotel has a horseshoe shape. Most of the rooms have some sort of ocean view. The most desirable rooms are on the inside of the U high up facing the ocean. This way you get the view of the pools in the U shape out to the ocean. Wish I could draw a picture, but I can't! When we were there last they were building a ball room on the right of the U. I asked for a a room on the left side because of this. It was nice and quiet. If you want to avoid any noisy construction, try to get the inside of the U and it will be quieter. Although I am sure the ball room is fully built by now. If I am correct, the hotel has 8 floors. The higher you are in the U the better. You can look over the trees then.
Simply Fish is a nice setting for your first night's arrival. It is a restaurant on the beach. You can dine and watch the sunset. Go to
aruba-bb.com for more info on Aruba. It is a bulletin board that is strictly aruba talk. Well, most of it. You will love the Marriott. It was a great vacation.

Jed

I have been looking into staying at a Marriott in Aruba, and as I read the Marriott site, there are 4 Marriotts in Aruba:
1-Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
2-Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
3-Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club
4-Marriott's Aruba Surf Club

christiegr

IMO-Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino is the best location.They have a private island..which is very nice with flamingos and iguanas on it.They give good lounge chair service.-

The hotel is in Oranjestad which makes a great location to restaurants.The hotel has a 24 hr casino(only 1 in Aruba thats 24 hrs)a movie theatre,vegas style shows,its also situated in the middle of a nice shopping mall.The service is friendly and good.The spa is wonderful as well.It has 3 pools..one with a swim up bar.It is walking distance to the bus station.Check it out.
Have a nice trip!

christiegr

Thought that I would mentioned that Palm beach..where the other Marriotts are located is a very busy beach.It is nice to visit but not to go to everyday.I liked the Renaissance Island alot better.A free watertaxi comes into the Renaissance hotel and takes you to the island which from the marina towers is only a 10 minute boat ride and the taxis run about every 20 minutes.If we ever go back...we will stay there again.

girlonthego

I personally did not like the downtown location. My husband is an early riser and he would get up and go out to the beach. The kids and I slept in. If we stayed at the Ren, we would have been all split up. You must take a boat to the beach. Whether we traveled with or without kids, I like to sleep in and my hubby likes to get up and walk the beach. I am sure the private island feature was nice, but we never felt that crowded at the beach. (We were there during Easter break.)The Surf club and Ocean club are next to the hotel. They are time-share units like condos.

nanajan

girlonthego--Thanks for the suggestions. I think this Marriott is built like the Maui Marriott and I agree that the inside of the U is the best. We were oceanfront corner on Maui and what a spectacular view! We're counting the days!

christiegr

girlonthego-maybe that is a good location (Palm Beach)if you take your kids.Personally...if I were going for my Anniverssary I would not want a beach with alot of screaming kids.Also it is expensive to take a taxi to all the good restaurants from Palm Beach.
Renaissance is a MUCH better location.

girlonthego

Christie,
We were one of the few families I saw that week(suprisingly). The kids that were there were older. Not a lot of screamers. But that is not the point. The point is the beach is right there in front of you and that was great for us. (with or without kids)
If I were going to an island, I would not choose a city location. I would be happier on a beach location. This is just my opinion. That is why there are hotels and locations for all of us.

nanajan

Thanks to all of you for your replies. The point is, we already have reservations at the Marriott Aruba using Marriott points. We have a rental car reserved also. I was just asking for room suggestions. Thanks, girlon the go for your thoughts.

girlonthego

You will have a great time! The dining is fabulous in Aruba also. El Gaucho's has the best steaks. Chalet Suisse was an excellent restaurant also.